Black and Asian people have been unfairly targeted by police carrying out searches, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

But Thames Valley Police has entered an agreement with the EHRC in an effort to make sure officers use their powers correctly.

Black people in the Thames Valley are six times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, according to a review carried out by the EHRC last year. Asian people are three times as likely to be stopped and searched.

Police have the power to stop and search anyone they have reason to believe might be carrying illegal items, such as drugs or a weapon.

Thames Valley Police, alongside Leicestershire Constabulary, have been identified as the worst forces in England and Wales for race differences in their use of stop and search powers, says the EHRC.

Both forces were also listed by the EHRC in 2010 among five that had to improve.

In the latest report, the number of people stopped and searched per 1,000 white people in Thames Valley is 11.4, but per 1,000 black people the figure rises to 73.4 and per 1,000 Asian people the figure is 34.6.

Thames Valley Police has now agreed to let the EHRC monitor it for the next 18 months to make sure officers are not using powers in a discriminatory way.

John Wadham, legal director at the EHRC, said: “The commission welcomes the steps Thames Valley Police has taken to combat the issues around its use of stop and search.

“The power to stop and search people is an important tool in tackling crime.

“This agreement will make sure that tool is used in an appropriate way.”

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rowell said: “Thames Valley Police regards the power to stop and search as a valuable tool in tackling criminality.

“However, the force recognises that its use must be carefully applied to ensure lawfulness and minimise disproportionality.

“After discussions with the EHRC, Thames Valley Police has entered into an agreement with the commission, which contains a number of undertakings.

“These include a commitment to adopt a specific formal aim of reducing race disproportionality, monitoring the use of stop and search powers, and undertaking a training programme for officers who use the powers.

“It has been made clear to all officers in Thames Valley Police that stop and search is a power that is to be used sensitively and only where there are reasonable grounds for doing so.”